Fork-tongued Hummer Licks
His Bill After a Feeding
Split halves of the tongue of
Phaethornis eurynome fit to
gether into a drinking straw
when the bird sips nectar from
flower or feeder.
Per unit of weight, the hum
mer expends the highest energy
output of any warm-blooded
animal and therefore must re
fuel frequently to keep up its
energy supply. Dr. Ruschi uses
up to 45 pounds of sugar a day
to feed winged visitors at his
Brazilian aviary (pages 80-99).
Because hummingbirds of this
genus seem shy and frequent
densely wooded areas, they are
known as "hermits."
Neither
male nor female displays iri
descence. A forked tail is not un
common among hummingbirds.
Taking his own picture, Steph
anoxis lalandibacks away from a
feeder. In his retreat, tail feathers
interrupt a beam of light shining
on a photocell, triggering shut
ter and flash.
( 1960 AMERICANMUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
1/9 LARGERTHAN LIFE-SIZE